Another Rough Night

Zoe was feeling better last night and we were feeling hopeful she was past the worst of this one. Sheena (Gavin's mom) got a hotel room near by the hospital so Gavin and I could get some sleep and be close by while she stayed with Zoe. This was wonderful for the first two hours where we slept soundly. The nurse called around 2am to let me know some things were happening with Zoe. I left Gavin and Ailsa sleeping and walked over to the hospital.

Zoe's oxygen levels have been dipping dramatically for the past couple of hours. They have upped her oxygen and given her breathing treatments. The critical care team has come back around (they just discharged her last night). They are concerned that her chest xray shows even more fluid in her lungs and now her heart is more enlarged. They are going to get an echo to see how her heart is doing this morning. They do not believe the fluid in her lungs is a pneumonia. Instead, it is extra fluid seeping into her chest cavity and other organs.

So that is where we are at. This hospitalization we have been lucky to have both of Gavin's parents here with us. Both of them moved to Ontario recently. Alan is a five minute drive from our house and Sheena is about two hours away. It has been so helpful to have an extra set of hands to help with both of the girls.

The Plan

They are going to check out how Zoe's heart is doing. They are giving her diuretics to get rid of the extra fluid and hopefully that will relieve some of the pressure on her lungs at the same time. Zoe lost both of her IVs so we will be consulting with people about using ultrasound to guide the next IV and hopefully that will work.

Thank you everyone for your comments and for keeping us in your thoughts!

Rough Couple of Days

Zoe has been slowly getting worse rather than better. Her chest xray yesterday shows fluid in her lungs. She is on oxygen and they had to slowly increase it throughout the night. Her blood results are showing that she is having some issues with electrolyte balance despite the fact that she has been on IV fluids the last three days. She stopped peeing yesterday and had to be catheterized but she did start up again this morning on her own. She has lots of diarrhea from the strong antibiotics she is getting.

So all in all, not a good couple of days.

Gavin, Ailsa and I all slept here at the hospital last night because Zoe was not doing very well and they were thinking of transferring her to the critical care unit. Right now the critical care team is in charge of her and making all the decisions but they are hoping she does not have to move to the unit. We hope so too. The CCU is a difficult place to be- Ailsa is not allowed to visit, there is no bed for one of us to stay with Zoe, and it would mean that Zoe is sick enough to be there. So we are hoping to avoid that.

I will try to keep this updated when I get a chance.

Zoe in Hospital

Another Emergency Room Visit

So far 2012 is not turning out to be as hospital-free as we hoped it would be. Ailsa had a cold all last week. We tried to keep her away from Zoe but that is difficult and as anyone with children know, it is kind of inevitable that once one child is sick, the other is sure to follow. Zoe started with fever and cough on Thursday. By Saturday she was not drinking very much and I was concerned with her colour- her nailbeds were turning blue and it was hard to tell if it was from dehydration or low oxygen. Zoe's reflux was really bad and she was choking every time she coughed. But we wanted to give Zoe some more time so we did not take her in then. It is a difficult balance with Zoe. We don't want to rush to the hospital every time she is sick but we also want to do everything we can to help her feel better faster.

Sunday morning Zoe seemed a little better but by Sunday night it was obvious that Zoe needed to go to the hospital. As we were getting ready to leave the house, Zoe had a huge vomit and wet poop which made us say, "Yes, we definitely need to go in now because she is already dehydrated."

Seizure in the Car

It was difficult to tell if Zoe was in and out of a seizure or just out of it while we were getting ready to go. Gavin loaded Zoe into the car and right away she started having a full on seizure. Gavin rode in the backseat with her and gave her the emergency medication to stop the seizure. The seizure lasted 15 minutes but did stop before we got to the hospital. At the hospital, Zoe continued to have small seizures so they decided to give her a "loading dose" of a strong seizure medication. We were nervous last night when they gave her this because the last time they loaded Zoe with this medication she ended up with aspiration pneumonia on a breathing machine in the ICU. But everyone was aware of what happened before and they watched Zoe closely. They also limited what medications and liquids went into her mouth and gave her a medication to stop her reflux/vomit.

So Far, So Good

It has been 12 hours since Zoe got the loading dose and she has not seized. Her lungs also look good on xray. I called the nurse this morning and she said that Zoe had a rough night but is sleeping soundly now. Gavin is sleeping, Zoe is sleeping, Ailsa is sleeping...I should be sleeping. But I find it very difficult to sleep when Zoe is away from me.

A Conversation Between Sisters

On Saturday I witnessed a sweet conversation between my beautiful girls. We were all in our bed and Zoe was upset and signing, "Ailsa." I said, "Ailsa is right here Zoe, do you want to tell her something?"

Zoe: "hurt"

Me: "Ailsa, Zoe wants you to know that she is hurting right now."

Ailsa: points at her teeth

Me: "Zoe I think Ailsa is asking if your teeth hurt. She is getting two new teeth so she probably thinks your teeth hurt too."

Zoe: shakes her head "no" and again signs "hurts"

Me: "No Ailsa, it is not her teeth that hurt. I think Zoe is hurting all over from her fever."

Zoe: reaches out to grab Ailsa's hand

Ailsa: reaches out and gently pats Zoe's hand with one hand and her forehead with her other hand

Me: "Does that make you feel better Zoe? Do you want your sister to hold your hand?"

Zoe: continues to hold Ailsa's hand while signing "Ailsa"

Here's to 2012!

Here's to Hoping it's a Good Year!

2011 Ended With Another Hospital Stay

We visited my brother and his family in Philadelphia for Christmas. After the 12 hour car ride, we were relaxing at Joe and Kristen's house and hoping to have a nice visit. Within the first hour of being there, Zoe broke her arm! Of course it turned out to be complicated and needed surgery. Surgery led to Zoe developing an allergic rash which looked like a burn and was extremely itchy. 8 of the 11 days we were in Philadelphia were spent at the Children's Hospital- not exactly what we had in mind for our holiday.

Christmas Day in the hospital.

Some Fun Time Too

Unfortunately, Zoe did not get to spend much time getting to know her cousin Sydney and Sydney did not get to see much of Zoe. The days that Zoe was out of the hospital, she was in a lot of pain and very unhappy. Ailsa did get to spend some time with Sydney and learned some important new skills from her like growling! Sydney quickly picked up Ailsa's "milk" sign and by the end of the visit she signed "milk" while I was nursing Ailsa.

The last two days of our trip we were able to get to the park. The weather was beautiful and the girls had fun.

Ailsa and Amanda

Zoe loved the merry-go-round but Ailsa wasn't so sure.

Home Again, Home Again

It has been a rough couple of weeks. Zoe was itchy from the rash and complained that her arm was hurting her. We were surprised she was still having so much pain until she had the cast and pins removed last Monday. They discovered that one of the pins had been rubbing Zoe's arm and had created a deep opening. Everything else looked fine but Zoe still has two small holes from two of the pins and one larger hole. She is much more comfortable now that the pins are out.

Hospital Again, Hospital Again

Zoe was in the emergency room last week with what looks like a gastro bug. We then had to keep her hydrated with NG feeds. Hmmm, so far 2012 is not shaping up as we would like it to be...

School Again, School Again

Zoe finally returned to school yesterday and had a good day. Today she was all smiles when she came home from school. It has been a month since she has been in school so I expect it will take a little adjusting to get back into the routine. Unfortunately Zoe has appointments at the hospital on Thursday so she will miss that day and school is closed on Friday. Perhaps it is good to start with a shorter week anyway while Zoe adjusts.

Zoe Interprets for Ailsa

I am trying to keep this post brief but there has been so much going on. One last thing:

Ailsa still insists on signing "milk" to mean mommy. I don't mind, I actually think it is kind of cute. A friend was over the other day and Ailsa signed "milk." The friend said, "Do you want milk Ailsa?" Zoe signed "mommy" meaning "She wants mommy." Later, Ailsa was eating and kept signing milk. Zoe then signed "eat" meaning "She wants more to eat." It is amazing how Zoe picks up on what Ailsa means and is able to help others understand what Ailsa wants.

Sigh....I don't know why I should be surprised when I have the two most amazing girls in the world!

New Skills and Silliness

New Skills

Zoe has learned some new important life skills recently that have been fun to see develop. The first she learned all on her own- she routinely goes into the bathroom and unrolls the toilet paper roll while laughing to herself. For a long time the bathroom has been a favourite hang out spot for Zoe. Perhaps one day I will get frustrated when I go to the bathroom and the toilet paper is all over the place but for now this new skill just makes me smile.

Zoe caught in the act.

Zoe fleeing the scene of the crime.

The second new skill is that Zoe is now able to open kitchen drawers!!! For years we have been showing Zoe hand over hand how to open the drawer. She never had the strength and coordination to do it on her own and would frequently ask us to help her. We have been encouraging this skill since this is an important skill to develop. The other day Zoe walked right over to the drawer and opened it all on her own! She was very proud of herself and did a great job leaning away from the drawer so it did not hit her head. Of course now that she has mastered this skill we have to finally install child locks. Poor kid, she finally figures out how to open the drawers and now we are going to lock them on her!

Play Time

Zoe and Ailsa have developed a really sweet relationship. It is great to see them rolling around together playing. Zoe will purposely roll herself to wherever Ailsa is. Zoe has done an amazing job keeping her legs still and not kicking Ailsa and being careful with her body. This shows tremendous control for Zoe who is naturally so wiggly and active. The girls have also begun playing with toys together. So far they are both good at sharing.

Taking turns with the drum.
Rolling around before bedtime.

Take My Picture Too!

While I was taking a picture of Ailsa at dinner the other night, Zoe asked that I take her picture too. Then she kept smiling for the camera and signing more. She is such a funny girl.

"Look at me, aren't I cute too?"

Namaste

I have been doing Pilates or Yoga every morning while Ailsa plays on the mats beside me. The other day I saw Ailsa watching the TV and when the guy said "Namaste" and put his hands together, Ailsa imitated him. It was very cute and funny. Overall, Ailsa has been much more interested in watching TV than Zoe ever was although recently Zoe has been more interested. We've decided to take the girls to the Muppet Movie since they both like watching the screen now. That should be fun.

Ailsa doing her yoga while watching the TV.

An Awesome Day

Daddy's Surprise

Ailsa decided to get a surprise for daddy (yes, that's right she thought it up herself, it is amazing how savvy our girls are at using our credit cards...) She bought us all tickets to see old hockey players get inducted into the hockey hall of fame and then play a game. The show also included a live band performance and a light show. Both girls were mesmerized by watching the game. Ailsa especially loved the laser light show. Zoe loved the popcorn! We brought Zoe's highchair seat so she could sit on her own in the stands. Zoe is able to sit and enjoy looking at things for longer periods of time now. We all had a great time and it was so nice having a fun family outing.

It all ended on a hilarious note when Gavin went to change Zoe who had a huge blow out bowel movement all over herself. I stayed in the seats nursing Ailsa who had been too distracted to eat during the show. After about 15 minutes an usher asked me to leave. I pointed out that I had too much stuff to carry on my own and that I was nursing my baby while waiting for my husband and other daughter. He disappeared and 5 minutes later a woman with security showed up. She approached me slowly while saying, "Mam, you have to leave now, this area is closed." I pointed out to her that there was no way I could physically carry the highchair, infant car seat, three bags, and the baby by myself and that I was waiting for my husband to return. She immediately looked more relaxed and said, "Oh, that is why you aren't leaving. No problem, I can help you." Apparently they had stopped Gavin from coming back to get me and asked him, "Are you with the woman who is breastfeeding?" Perhaps they were afraid I was staging a sit in! Security was very nice once they realized we were just trying to meet both the children's needs while carrying a lot of stuff. They even walked us all the way to the exit doors, how nice of them :)

The Day Got Even Better

While I gave Ailsa a bath, Gavin popped Zoe up and down out of Ailsa's eyesight. Both girls thought this was a hilarious way to play peek-a-boo. After giving us kisses and singing the goodnight song, Zoe headed off to bed while I finished bathing Ailsa. Ailsa looked right at me, signed "milk" (which is how she says mom). I said, "Yes, Ailsa what do you want? Do you want milk?" To which Ailsa very deliberately signed, "Zoe" and smiled. I called Zoe to come back and when Ailsa saw her, she immediately started giggling and again signed, "Zoe." Zoe was giggling and signing, "Ailsa." This was the first time Ailsa signed Zoe and Zoe was quite excited to see her sign. Zoe thinks it is hilarious when Ailsa signs. So far, Ailsa consistently signs daddy, milk, and Zoe. She is a very smart little baby although we can't convince her that my name is not milk...

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Zoe Gives Ailsa a pumpkin de-gooping lesson:

Zoe: Step one- get a feel for your pumpkin.

Ailsa: Yep, I see what you mean, sister.

Zoe: Step two- think about how you want to go about this process while giving mom a stink eye for taking so many pictures....Hmm, Ailsa I think that is more of a sticking out your tongue look rather than a stink eye, but I think mom gets the point.

Zoe: Step three- dig right in there and get out all the goop and seeds.

Ailsa: Stick my arm in where??!?!

Zoe: Here, sister, take a break and have a snack while I do the work.

Ailsa: Yum! I just started eating solids this week!

Zoe: The most important step is to have fun!